Can overweight cause Heart Attack

Obesity is associated with more cardiac risk factors than ideal weight individuals. Certainly there are obese people who are physically active and hence obese but fit. The Archives of Internal Medicine published two articles related to obesity and cardiac risk in August 2008. In the first study, 5440 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) provided data on their body mass index (BMI) and their cardiac health. The BMI was used to classify the participants into 3 groups: normal weight, below 25.0; overweight, 25.0-29.9; and obese, 30 or above. The results showed that 23.5% of the normal-weight participants had two or more cardiac risk factors, while 51.3% of the overweight and 31.7% of the obese adults were heart-healthy, i.e., they had none or only one cardiac risk factor. Cardiac risk factors included high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar (diabetes), elevated tricglycerides, low good cholesterol (HDL), and elevated C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. The risk of cardiovascular disease correlated more with physical activity and waist size than body mass index.
However, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women worldwide. Obesity and lack of physical exercise can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. It is important to discuss your cardiovascular risk factors, including your family history, with your doctor. Women can dramatically reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by altering their lifestyle and knowing their numbers, including blood pressure and cholesterol. Every year in your birthday month, it is wise to see your physician to have your blood pressure and fasting lipids (cholesterol) checked, as well as your blood sugar.